All,
I know this topic has been covered:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...ith-KKM-barrel (2014-05-12)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...version-Barrel (2012-12-02)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-17-Conversion (2012-10-24)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-(PICS-INSIDE) (2012-08-11)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...arrel-in-a-G22 (2012-07-26)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...9mm-conversion (2012-06-24)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...-Legit-or-Hack (2011-05-05)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...3-Gen-4-to-9mm (2011-03-22)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...r-on-G23-frame (2009-02-05)
But I wanted to make an overview post that might help future M4Carbine.net members. Here are all the ways to convert a .40 S&W caliber Glock 23 to 9x19mm Parabellum -- I'm going to be tediously comprehensive about this.
Option A:
1. Sell Glock 23.
2. Buy Glock 19.
Cost: You'll lose about $50-$100 (Glock 23s go for low $400s in the used market; Glock 19s go for high $400s)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: 100%
Summary: This is sort of a joke.....
Option B:
1. Remove .40 S&W ejector; install 9mm ejector.
2. Remove Glock 23 complete slide assembly; install Glock 19 complete slide assembly.
3. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.
Cost: Ejector (~$10), complete Glock 19 upper (~$250), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: 100%
Summary: This pistol is now (for all intents and purposes) a Glock 19 -- the only thing about it that's still a Glock 23 is the serial number.
Expert Opinion: This is the first method explained on TFB TV: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4>.
Option C:
1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install .40 S&W--->9mm conversion barrel.
2. Remove .40 S&W extractor; install 9mm extractor.
3. Remove .40 S&W ejector; install 9mm ejector.
4. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.
Cost: 40-->9 conversion barrel (~$150), extractor (~$20), ejector (~$10), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Debated
Summary: This pistol still has a Glock 23 slide to accommodate the 40--->9 conversion barrel (which has slightly thicker walls than a stock 9mm barrel), which means it still has a .40 S&W breech face. Both the extractor and the ejector are 9mm versions.
Expert Opinion: This is the method espoused by Mr Guns N Gear <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyeUhUfTpSY>. However, according to TFB TV, you should not change the ejector <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4>. You be the judge.
Option D:
1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install .40 S&W--->9mm conversion barrel.
2. Remove .40 S&W extractor; install 9mm extractor.
3. Do not change the ejector! .40 S&W-->9mm conversion barrels are designed to be used with .40 S&W ejectors.
4. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.
Cost: 40-->9 conversion barrel (~$150), extractor (~$20), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Debated, but some believe this is superior to Options E and F below
Summary: This pistol still has a Glock 23 slide to accommodate the 40--->9 conversion barrel (which has slightly thicker walls than a stock 9mm barrel). The extractor is 9mm, but the ejector is still a .40 S&W version.
Expert Opinion: This is the method outlined by Safety Solutions Academy: <https://safetysolutionsacademy.com/c...ck-22-9mm-ssa/>.
Option E:
1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install .40 S&W--->9mm conversion barrel.
2. Do not change the extractor.
3. Do not change the ejector.
4. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.
Cost: 40-->9 conversion barrel (~$150), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Debated
Summary: This is the simplest conversion (i.e. no gunsmithing necessary) that's considered to be reliable.
Expert Opinion: This is the second method explained on TFB TV <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKowBbeypl4>. Both Brownell's <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztlSTeNO3I4> and Tactical Rifleman <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1DM0oKa-xU> agree that a conversion barrel only (no change to extractors or ejectors) is sufficient.
Option F:
1. Remove .40 S&W barrel; install 9mm factory barrel.
2. Remove Glock 23 magazine; insert Glock 19 magazine.
3. Do not do anything else.
Cost: 9mm factory barrel (~$100), Glock 19 magazine (~$15)
Reliability compared to stock Glock 19: Generally considered to be the least reliable method.
Summary: This is absolutely the simplest conversion (again, no gunsmithing necessary), but it may be unreliable.
Expert Opinion: Demolition Ranch proved that you can do it <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDgTOo-YjRc>.
**********
To sum up:
- Option A is the way to go if you just want to get rid of your Glock 23
- Option B is a Glock 19 slide on a slightly modified Glock 23 frame
- Option C is recommended by a firearms authority (Mr Guns N Gear), but contradicted by another firearms authority (TFB TV)
- Option D is the "conventional wisdom" on gun forums (e.g. "Conversion barrel only is OK for a range toy, but for serious use, you need to change out the extractor.")
- Option E seems to gaining more and more acceptance (as of 2019), since folks have been running conversion barrel only now for several years without any sort of issues (e.g. FTE, FTF, etc)
- Option F is generally considered unreliable
Respectfully,
butlers
P.S. With all of these options above, there's a sub-option: just use your original Glock 23 magazines. This video from the Glock Store explains how you can use .40 S&W magazines with 9mm rounds and 9mm barrels <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H6NNdj4NzA>
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